10 Things Halvorson and Blagojevich could talk about

Halvorson Camp Says: "They Don't Really Have Anything to Discuss,"  but Nothing Could Be Further from the Truth, Ozinga says . . .

MOKENA, IL – In light of the Halvorson campaign's bizarre assertion that Debbie Halvorson hasn't talked to Rod Blagojevich in "at least a year" – and the even more incredulous claim that "[T]hey don't really have anything to discuss"[1] – the Ozinga campaign has compiled a list of 10 things Halvorson and Blagojevich could talk about:

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for voting to give him a pay raise last year, even as Illinois' middle-class families are struggling to make ends meet.[2]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for voting for his Gross Receipts Tax, the largest tax hike in Illinois history.[3]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for standing with him to oppose ethics reform for over a year, when she held House Bill 1 hostage in the Senate Rules Committee she chaired.[4]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for surreptitiously undermining the recall legislation that threatened to end his political career.[5]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for personally carrying his so-called "family feud" bill, the 2005 legislation that was widely seen as an attempt by the governor to exact revenge against his father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Dick Mell.[6]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for her inexplicable praise of his economic record:
State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, the senate majority leader, credited Gov. Rod Blagojevich and state policy makers for economic successes…

"The Illinois economy is getting stronger," Halvorson told about 60 area business and government leaders at ONU's Larsen Fine Arts Center. During the Blagojevich administration, she said businesses had invested $23 billion in the state.

"Illinois is probably one of the most attractive states for doing business," Halvorson said. (Kankakee Daily Journal, 7/27/05)

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for personally blocking a bill that would have put a stop to Blagojevich's sweeps of veteran home funds.[7]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for sponsoring Third Airport legislation which would have given him the authority to appoint a private citizen to the airport board – the same kind of appointment that Tony Rezko sold in exchange for $25,000 in Blagojevich campaign cash.[8]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for personally penning an op-ed in the Joliet Herald News to defend his irresponsible 2006 budget.[9]

Blagojevich could thank Halvorson for supporting anti-consumer, Blagojevich/SBC-backed legislation in 2003.  Crain's Chicago Business: "In signing a bill allowing SBC Communications Inc. to double the rates it charges competitors to lease its telephone lines, Gov. Blagojevich did the bidding of…SBC's president" (5/19/03). As usual, Debbie Halvorson was right there with him.[10]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Politico, 7/9/08

[2] Daily Southtown, 11/28/06

[3] Senate Executive Committee vote, 5/8/07

[4] Chicago Tribune editorial, 6/2/08

[5] Chicago Tribune editorials, 4/18/08, 4/28/08; Zorn, Chicago Tribune, 4/24/08

[6] Chicago Sun-Times, 4/13/05

[7] Kadner, Southtown Star, 9/30/07

[8] SB2063, 95th General Assembly; Chicago Tribune, "The governor's $25,000 club," 4/27/08

[9] Joliet Herald News, 5/21/06

[10] SB885, 93rd General Assembly

Comments

[spintreebob]

Try one thing they could talk about:

Campaign money ... preferably indirectly and unreportable via loopholes such as taxpayer funded "outreach programs".

[John Galt]

Can you tell me where I can access Halvorson's Senate Executive Committee vote on 5/8/07 regarding the Gross Receipts Tax or any other place I can document her supporting it?

I really appreciate the help.